How to Make Brake Pads Last Longer

The brake pad saves your life every day. During your work commute, road trips, or even just daily errands, it’s the brake pad’s job to create the friction and force to stop your car. As a driver, you may be thankful for your brake pads, but you may also be wondering why brakes seem to wear out quickly or degrade unevenly. The ASE-certified technicians at Christian Brothers Automotive are here to answer your brake questions and more!

TYPICAL BRAKE PAD WEAR

The wear put on brake pads depends on several factors. Mileage and personal driving habits are the main two factors when considering making brake pads last longer. For instance, a city driver will use their brakes more than drivers that use the highway with little traffic.

Braking at low speeds doesn’t affect your brake pads as much as heavy braking at higher speeds. For this reason, congested highways are the main culprits that cause brake pad wear. Your front brake pads will also wear down faster than your rear pads. The front of your vehicle handles a lot more weight transfer as you brake, causing more wear.

It’s important to remember that brake wear is not an exact science. Some brake pads will last up to 70,000 miles, while other drivers might need to replace them as early as 25,000 miles. The type of vehicle you drive, how you use your vehicle and your driving style are all factors to consider.

HOW TO MAKE BRAKE PADS LAST LONGER

Do you have to stomp down hard on your brakes to get your car to make a routine stop? If so, your brake pads, rotors or brake fluid might need to be replaced. Brake pads can deteriorate and lose their stopping power fairly easily.

Here are some ways to avoid needing brake service and to keep your car’s brakes working properly:

Drive with the flow of traffic to avoid any unnecessary braking.

Give yourself plenty of following distance from the car in front of you so you can coast to a nice, easy stop.

Remove any unnecessary weight from your vehicle.

Keep your speed low in heavy traffic and avoid any sudden braking.

The next time you wash your car, be sure to spray off your brakes. Brake dust accumulates on the inner drum of the wheel and decreases the brake friction.

The best way to make sure your brake pads are safe (omitted words here) is to consult the professionals at Christian Brothers Automotive. If you hear any type of squealing noise, it’s best to have your brakes checked as soon as possible. At Christian Brothers Automotive, you can always give us a call with any questions about brake pad wear or to schedule your brake maintenance.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SCHEDULE A BRAKE INSPECTION?

Call our San Antonio auto repair shop if you notice one or more of the following symptoms:

Squeaking, squealing or grinding

Pumping the brakes is required to stop

Soft or spongy brakes

Stiff or hard brakes

Leaking fluid

The brake light comes on

Fully functioning brakes are a vital part of the car’s reliability. Our expert staff cares about your safety and will do what it takes to ensure you’re protected on every drive.

WHY IS ANNUAL BRAKE SERVICE NECESSARY?

Gradually, heat and friction will grind down the brake pads and cause wear to other parts of the vehicle. Over time, brake pads become so thin, they cannot do their job. Have the technician check the thickness of your brake pads with every oil change.

Parts of the brake system most commonly affected by wear:

Brake pads

Drums

Rotors

Brake shoes

Calipers

Wheel cylinders

Brake hoses

Maintaining these crucial elements will keep you safe on every drive, keep your brake system working efficiently and help you avoid needless repairs.

If it’s time for a brake system assessment, schedule an appointment with our friendly technicians. Call Christian Brothers Automotive today and discover the nice difference!